SALINA – Nemaha Central has followed the same formula throughout the 2023 season. Continually allow sophomore quarterback Carter Hajek to carry the ball, play stifling defense, grind out victories.
On Saturday, the Thunder rode that equation to a 28-14 victory against Hoisington in significantly snowy conditions for the Class 2A state championship game at Salina District Stadium.
Hajek carried 49 times on Saturday for 265 yards and scored all four of his team’s touchdowns. For the season, he rushed for more than 2,000 yards had more than two-thirds of his team’s carries.
Nemaha Central bumped its winning streak to 26 games, currently the second-longest in Kansas behind Axtell’s 39.
The Thunder allowed 67 points and 5.2 points a game during their second-straight 13-0 campaign. It marked the best scoring defense for all classes in Kansas this year. Plus, the 5.2 points allowed a contest was the lowest by a non-Olpe 11-man state champion in 15 years.
Hoisington finished 12-1 and tied the school mark for single-season victories. The classification’s top scoring offense dropped to 0-2 all-time in state title games after a runner-up in 2020. That season, Hoisington lost, 27-20, to Rossville at state.
Either Nemaha Central or Rossville has won the last five 2A state titles. Nemaha Central captured crowns in ’19, ’22 and ’23, the last two under coach Michael Glatczak.
Nemaha Central scored 30 or fewer points in six contests this season. Hoisington delivered the second-most points by a Nemaha Central opponent in 2023.
Hoisington led 7-6 at halftime after a Jason Robinson interception and a four-yard TD run by Tony Moore. Robinson enjoyed a remarkable defensive season with nine interceptions.
Nemaha Central had a key fumble recovery in the third quarter that led to a Hajek touchdown. Later, Hoisington fumbled again, and the Thunder tallied another Hajek score.
Nemaha Central 28, Hoisington 14
Nemaha Central (13-0): 6 – 0 – 14 – 8 | 28
Hoisington (12-1): 0 -- 7 – 0 – 7 | 14
Scoring Summary:
First quarter:
6:20 | Nemaha Central – Carter Hajek 6-yard run (run failed), NCHS 6-0
Second quarter:
2:02 | Hoisington – Tony Moore 1-yard run (Taylen Morales kick), Hoisington 7-6
Third quarter:
7:47 | Nemaha Central – Hajek 7-yard run (run failed), NCHS 12-7
4:38 | Nemaha Central – Hajek 49-yard run (Hajek run), NCHS 20-7
Fourth quarter:
9:31 | Nemaha Central – Hajek 1-yard run (Hayek run), NCHS 28-7
3:29 | Hoisington – Moore 3-yard run (Morales kick), NCHS 28-14
TEAM STATISTICS
NCHS HOIS
Rushing 51-264 35-162
Passing (Comp-Att-INT) 2-4-1 6-15-0
Passing Yards 32 50
Total yards 296 212
First Downs 13 11
Turnovers 1 2
Punts-Avg 2-37.0 2-33.5
Penalties 7-44 5-29
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING:
NCHS – Hajek 49-265; Kramer 1-3; Team 1-(-4)
HOIS – Moore 16-125; Kraft 15-27; Alderdice 2-14; Team 2-(-4)
PASSING:
NCHS – Hajek 2-4-1-32
HOIS – Moore 6-15-0-50
RECEIVING:
NCHS – Nordhus 1-20; Strathman 1-12
HOIS – Martin 2-17; Alderdice 2-11; Robinson 1-14; Kraft 1-4
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